2025 was quite a year. It was the year I turned 50, opened up a vinyl record and souvenir shop, and experienced my second hurricane in two years.
Since we’d already established that there’s never a dull moment in Jamaica, we’ve learned to expect the unexpected.
Rather than lamenting the back-to-back hurricanes, I’ve chosen to use my experiences as inspiration for my writing. I’ll admit that it’s easier not to complain now that we’ve got solar power. After experiencing long-term power outages after each hurricane, I’ve never been more grateful for access to running water.
I started the year with high hopes for what was to come. If there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that you can plan for the best, but you should prepare for the worst. While some may think that’s negative thinking, I’d like to think of it as managing my expectations. I want to think of myself as an optimistic realist. 😉
All that to say, I’m still entering 2026 with optimism. I’m planning to complete my third book, and I’m looking forward to reopening Treasure Buds & Records. I write this while recovering from the flu, and a sinus headache is holding on for dear life. 😩
But this too shall pass, and I’m ready to take on the new year, all of it: the good, the bad, and the ugly. 🩵